Clunking or rattling over bumps? Signs your suspension needs attention

What the symptom usually points to

• Clunk or knock over bumps or potholes: sway bar links, ball joints, control arm bushings or strut mounts.
• Rattle over rough roads: often a loose heat shield or sway bar link, sometimes a worn strut mount.
• Bouncing after bumps, a floaty feel on the highway, or nose dive when braking: worn shocks or struts.
• Creaking or squeaking when turning or going over speed bumps: dry or worn bushings or ball joints.
• One corner sitting lower than the others: a broken or sagging spring.
• Clunk when turning at low speed: can be a worn CV joint or a strut mount.

Signs on the tires

Worn suspension often shows up on the tires before you feel it. Look for scalloped or cupped patches on the tread, or one edge wearing faster than the other. If you replace tires without fixing the cause, the new ones wear the same way.

When it is unsafe to drive

• The steering feels loose, wanders, or the car pulls suddenly.
• A loud bang followed by the car sitting lower or leaning.
• A grinding or popping from a front wheel that gets worse quickly.
• A tire rubbing on the body or suspension.

A failed ball joint or tie rod can let a wheel move out of position. If you notice any of these, slow down, get off the road and call.

Suspension and NYS inspection

The New York State safety inspection checks the steering, front end and suspension, along with brakes, tires and lights, so worn parts can also fail the annual inspection. Getting a clunk checked early can save you a failed inspection and a bigger repair later.

How we handle it here

• We lift the car, check the ball joints, tie rods, links, bushings, struts and springs, and road test it to hear the noise ourselves.
• We show you what is worn, tell you what is urgent and what can wait, and give you the price before any work starts.
• Nothing is done without your approval, and we are a NYS DMV licensed inspection station if you are due.
• We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we speak English and Spanish.